Remembering Paul O'Grady
April 2023 Rob, PinkUk
Paul O’Grady comedian, cabaret icon, LGBTQ+ rights campaigner, chat show host and dog welfare activist passed away in March 2023.
Rob at PinkUk writes why Paul meant so much to the LGBTQ+ communities in the UK.
Paul O'Grady, MBE, was an outstanding member of the community and cared a lot for everyone he met. He started his career as a social worker helping young vulnerable children and their families during difficult times. He later became famous for his amazing talent in drag as the famous Lily Savage on stage at London’s famous The Royal Vauxhall Tavern in the 1980s.
During the HIV/AIDS pandemic in the 1980s he stood up to the police in solidarity to the LGBTQ+ communities, which he was proudly part of, notably in a police raid on the Royal Vauxhall Tavern in 1987.
His brilliantly written British comedy game show Blankety Blank, during the 1990s, paved the way for other drag artists to be brave and join the team of drag shows, is one show that captured the audience and had the country in fits of laughter with his wittiness and fun. He was a massive influence within the LGBTQ+ communities.
Also, in more recent years he started "For the love of dogs" programme which encouraged people to help vulnerable animals find a happy home. He was the ambassador of Battersea Dogs Trust, where through the years he adopted six dogs giving them a happy home with him and his husband.
He spent a lot of time at the trust spending every moment with the animals and showing them that "dogs are truly man’s best friend". He was throughout his life a caring, kind, loving man who showed the world how to love and have the courage to make a stand for your rights and for the rights of all living creatures.
He was and is a national treasure. He will be deeply missed by all that knew him and all that enjoyed seeing him and his amazing work. Rest gently Paul O'Grady.
